Irrigation Technician/Groundskeeper

General Job Brief

Arizona Christian University seeks a full-time Irrigation Technician/Groundskeeper to manage smart irrigation systems (60%) and maintain campus grounds (40%) while supporting the university's mission to transform culture with truth. This position requires 3+ years of commercial grounds experience, technical diagnostics skills, and an active Christian faith involving mentorship and prayer with the campus community.

This role also requires a comprehensive understanding of and commitment to the unique Christian mission and vision of ACU to Transform Culture with Truth, and the ability to advance that mission and vision through the performance of its duties, including person-to-person mentorship and discipleship.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

1. University Irrigation Management (60%)

• Central Control Systems: Program, schedule, and monitor campus-wide centralized, weather-based smart controllers (e.g., Calsense, Maxicom, Rain Master) to minimize water waste.
• Complex Diagnostics: Locate and isolate electrical or hydraulic faults in commercial backflow assemblies, two-wire paths, decoder systems, 24V wiring, and booster pumps.
• Athletic Field Maintenance: Ensure uniform turf hydration and surface safety parameters on collegiate athletic and multi-use event fields.
• Sidewalk Overspray Mitigation: Conduct regular zone audits to adjust spray patterns, preventing water hazards and damage to campus sidewalks, roadways, and historic building facades.
• GIS & Blueprints: Interpret and update campus irrigation as-built schematics and GIS mapping tracking buried utility lines.

2. Institutional Grounds Upkeep (40%)

• High-Visibility Turf Care: Mow, edge, aerate, and fertilize iconic campus lawns, quads, and academic plazas.
• Horticultural Pruning: Maintain trees, shrubs, and ornamental perennial beds in accordance with university aesthetic guidelines.
• University Event Support: Assist in landscape preparation, setups, and post-event cleanup for major university milestones (e.g., Commencement, Alumni Weekends, Game Days).

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• Completing other duties and tasks with utmost integrity and professionalism, as directed, and not necessarily mentioned in this description, may be asked on a volunteer basis.
• Commitment to the University’s faith statement, mission, and purposes; and an active Christian faith.
• Comfort and familiarity with the practice of praying with and for others, including students, faculty, and fellow University staff.
• The ability to meaningfully support and encourage students, faculty, and staff from a biblical worldview perspective, using relevant and applicable references from the Old and New Testaments and orthodox Christian writings.
• Demonstrated alignment with and enthusiastic support for the Christian Mission and Core Commitments of the University, including signing the University's Statement of Faith and Core Commitments annually.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 3 years in institutional, commercial, or municipal grounds, featuring at least 2 years of dedicated commercial irrigation diagnostics.
• Licenses/Certifications: Valid driver's license required. Certified Irrigation Technician (CIT) or Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor (CLIA) credentials strongly preferred. Backflow tester certification is a plus.
• Physical Demands: Capacity to stand for prolonged periods on uneven terrain, lift up to 50 lbs, and work outdoors in regional climate extremes (e.g., summer heat)

Time Required

Full time – 40 hours a week

Fair Labor Standards Act

This position is considered to be full-time, non-exempt from overtime pay provisions as provided by the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and any applicable state laws.